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PRAYER FOCUS
A FINAL LETTER FROM BETHEL, ALASKA May 4, 2003

This morning I attended Bethel Moravian Church for the last time during my stay here. In many ways it was a typical Sunday...  We sang hymns from Hope Publishing's “The Worshipping Church”. Ninety-something year young Lucy Beaver sang a hymn in Yup'ik. More than twenty people were summoned to the front to sing a gospel hymn as a mixed choir.  Glenna Lefner continued to enthrall me with her magic fingers on the piano. Harry had the laugh of the day though as he read a biblical passage. Reading from a different translation from the rest of us, he was reading with enthusiasm and emphasis when he said, Now turn..." and he paused. We were all poised to turn somewhere else in the Bible when he said, Well, now I've got to turn my page to finish reading that sentence....it says ‘Now turn from your sins.’

The one thing that is different at church is the fire I see in Grant Shimanek as he preaches! For the second week in a row he has challenged the church to be a church of purpose and vision. He seems to have a renewed sense of God's call in his life, and his preaching belies that passion. Grant and I spent some time together tonight, discussing the church and reflecting on his call to ministry. He struggles here as a Gussack (white man), the object of unfair prejudice by many of the native Eskimos. Seeing pain in his eyes, he tells the story of being fresh out of seminary and eager to serve through the Moravian Church in one of the villages. The Alaska Provincial Board submitted his name to one of the village churches as consideration for a call. Rather than respond as directed to the A.P.B., they responded by letter directly to him. The letter simply said that he was an unacceptable choice since he was a Gussack. This “Gussack” who knew Yup'ik better than most natives his age found himself on the outside looking in before he could even begin. He has continued in service throughout the past twenty-five years, more often outside the church than inside as he became a certified teacher. As we talked tonight he displayed a wonderful sense of peace about his continuing role in the Moravian Church, and particularly at Bethel Moravian Church.

I'm cooking a farewell meal Tuesday night, and inviting several people that have gone out of their way to extend kindnesses to me. If everyone attends I'll be feeding 25 - 30 people! In fear and trembling I'm planning a menu of Moravian Chicken Pie (something they are unfamiliar with here), green beans & corn, and mashed potatoes. I've been so blessed with people who have pampered me, cared for me, offered their friendship, and surrounded my time in prayer. This is but a small token of my appreciation for their wonderful care.

It has rained most of the day, but later this evening it changed into a blinding snow. It continues to snow outside, so we'll probably see white ground briefly in the morning. The warmer rain today went a long way toward finishing off the ice. The pond that my room overlooks has completely thawed. The river has thawed to the extent that smaller craft can already be seen navigating the waters. If all works out this week, I will travel by boat to Kwethluk and tour what is left of the Moravian Children's Home. It is my hope to work with the province to restore the buildings that are salvageable and begin a summer youth camping program. If proper assessment can be made, there may remain time this year for work teams to do much of the demolition and construction work. Hopefully enough can be accomplished that we could have a week for Jr. High Camp, and a week for Sr. High Camp next year.

Jeff Littrell
P.O. Box 2084
351 3rdAvenue
Bethel, AK  99559 http://www.geocities.com/unitylibertylove/ak1.html
e-mail  UnityLibertyLove@aol.com

This is another of Br. Jeff Litrell’s epistles from his 100 days on the Kuskokwim. We are grateful not only for him being willing to go to Alaska but even more for his willingness to share with us his good times, and his hard times as well. His insights into the Yup’ik culture from our side have been inspiring and insightful.

Thanks, Br. Jeff.         JHG